Page 39 of The Dating Coach
"Gem," she said, voice small. "I'm sorry. I know I should have gone to class, but I saw him and I couldn't breathe and—"
I crossed the room in two strides, pulling her into a fierce hug. "Don't apologize. Never apologize for keeping yourself safe."
"It wasn't even him," she whispered into my shoulder. "Just some random dad dropping off his kid. But for a second I thought..."
"I know," I murmured, holding her tighter. "I know, butterfly."
Behind us, I heard Liam talking quietly with Dr. Sarah, his voice low and respectful. When I finally pulled back from Mia, wiping tears I hadn't realized I'd shed, Dr. Sarah approached with a gentle smile.
"Mia and I were just discussing resources available for students in similar situations," she said. "We have support groups, counseling services, even emergency housing assistance if needed."
"She'll be eighteen next week," I said, the date hitting me with sudden clarity. "Legally an adult. They can't..."
“No, they can’t,” Dr. Sarah confirmed. “And we will support you in every way we can. You’re not alone in this.”
Mia squeezed my hand, and I squeezed back, something loosening in my chest. We weren't alone. We had resources, support, people who understood.
"Thank you," I managed, throat tight with emotion.
As we prepared to leave, Dr. Sarah pulled me aside. "Your sister is remarkably resilient," she said quietly. "We're here if either of you need support."
I nodded, filing the information away. Another thing to worry about, another potential crisis to navigate. The list never seemed to get shorter.
Back at Liam's car, Mia curled in the backseat while I sat frozen in the front, adrenaline finally catching up with me. My hands shook as I tried to buckle my seatbelt.
"Hey," Liam said softly. "She's okay. You're okay. Everyone's safe."
"For now," I whispered. "Until the next crisis. Until something else goes wrong. I can't—" My voice broke. "I can't keep almost losing her."
"You won't," he said firmly. "Because she has you, and you have..." He paused, seeming to wrestle with words. "You have people who care about you both. Who won't let anything happen to her."
"Why?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "Why do you care so much? This isn't your problem, your family drama. You could be living your perfect life without all this chaos."
He was quiet for a long moment, navigating traffic while I tried to remember how to breathe normally. Finally, he said, "My life isn't perfect, Gemma. It's managed. Controlled. Every decision made for optimal outcome. But you and Mia? You're real. Messy and complicated and absolutely real. That's worth more than perfect any day."
I turned to study his profile, this boy who'd become so essential to our survival without my noticing. "Liam..."
"I know," he said quietly. "Timing. Complications. You need to focus on the exam. But Gemma?" He glanced at me, eyes serious. "I'm not going anywhere. No matter how many crisis calls or panic attacks or terrible parents. I'm here."
"That's a dangerous promise," I whispered.
"Good thing I'm excellent at dangerous situations," he replied, with a small smile that made my chest tight.
From the backseat, Mia spoke up: "Are you two going to kiss now? Because I'm traumatized, not blind, and the tension is suffocating."
"Mia!" I twisted to glare at her, face flaming.
"What? It's obvious you're in love with each other. Even Dr. Sarah asked if Liam was your boyfriend." She paused. "I said yes, by the way. Seemed easier than explaining... whatever this is."
I turned back around, unable to look at Liam. The careful distance we'd maintained since the gala felt paper-thin, ready to tear at the slightest pressure.
"Let's get you home," Liam said, saving me from having to respond. "Both of you need rest. And Gemma, you have an exam to ace in two days."
The exam. Right. In the panic over Mia, I'd almost forgotten the test that would determine my entire future. The competing pressures – academic, family, whatever was happening with Liam – threatened to overwhelm me.
That night, after making sure Mia was settled with Karen watching over her, I lay in bed replaying the day. The crisis had passed, but more would come. They always did. And through it all, Liam had been there – steady, supportive, asking for nothing in return.
I pulled out my phone, playing the voice recording we'd made earlier. My own voice filled the darkness: "You're capable and you don't give up. Ever."
